Aw, thanks, AJ! It's not a fun visit, just family stuff. I don't have firm dates yet, though, so who knows!

@Tarzy - Hopefully the dates will work out so that we can see you. I hope your NY trip is not a sad family occasion.

Wow, I am there in spirit if not in reality. The consolation would be that YLF's LA/OC contingent is VERY active, and future opportunities will no doubt abound.

I'd love to hear about the hotel too, if you don't mind.

I am also there in spirit.

But you know really, you ALL need to Oktoberfest is Seattle. It's the prettiest time of year. Not that I am cheeky or anything.

WHEN is it, Angie? If it's the Fremont Oktoberfest, it looks like around the third week of September, so it wouldn't conflict with my trip by then. I would fly out to Seattle in a heartbeat. (At least my romantic, adventurous Sagittarius persona would!) I will seriously consider it if flights and hotels are manageable.

Oh, temptations left and right! I would love to go if there was a Big Deal on airfare.

High five for Sagittarius spirit!

Oh Nancy, I'm just playing around..... in a half serious way. I have no idea about the actual Oktoberfest in Seattle, but it IS a very pretty time of year AND many of you have met up in CA before. That's why I suggested a change. Afterall, Seattle is YLF headquarters.

AJ, I did not mean to spanner so much. My apologies.

Angie, you realize that you have potentially started the ball rolling!

I don't know anything about the Seattle's layout of the land hotel and airport wise.

OK Los Angeles FABbers, should we move the party to Seattle in October?

Seattle is FAR more doable for me from here, and my DH and son are going there in September for a football game anyway. But then they would not give me free rein. The chance to meet Angie is a top priority for me!

Una, you would only be able to go to Seattle in September?

No, I could do October also! But Seattle is in the works for September for DH and DS, so I could tag along on their trip as well.

I'm still taking that plane cross country so yes, I would totally do Seattle. Of course, spending time with Angie, if she can meet with us, would be top priority too.

@Angie - What weekends do you have free in October?

I might be able to stay with my brother in law so it could be cheaper.

Oooh, I would be SO excited to have you come to Seattle if you decide to move the party North!

It's nothing fancy, but we will have a second bedroom and a very comfortable Aerobed in north Seattle (easy to get downtown by bus) and I'd be happy to host one of my out of town pals.

OMG I am SO tempted. Am keeping an eye on this thread and on airfare prices...

I'd love to go to Seattle and meet Angie and everyone else! But - such a bummer - I really, really cannot afford to do that. If the meeting is in OC, then I don't have the transportation costs, I can stay at my own home, eat some of my meals at home, etc., etc., However, I completely understand it if you all want to change it to Seattle - believe me, under different circumstances, I'd be jumping on that opportunity BIG TIME! I know that meeting Angie is a priority and if that's the deciding factor, then go for it - and I will cheer you all on from the sidelines!!!!

Oops, I thought the Seattle suggestion was in *addition* to Orange County, since Mochi said that was the third week of September instead of October.

I dunno, I kind of liked the idea of a little yearly tradition for the SoCal group.

I can't do Seattle, I'm afraid. I was liking the annual LA meetup idea, too.

But I defer to the group, of course.

I'll go to where the party is at. It's all up to you, of course! My opinion is not even a factor!!!

I think we should definitely do the SoCal October trip as an annual thing, I already told my husband we're doing it Of course I am certainly down for any Seattle trips anyone wants to make! I'm 30 min from Seattle proper, but I have a big house walking distance from the Puget Sound with a big guest room and extra sleeping space. Also a fire pit and a secluded property perfect for chilling outside in. Just sayin' 0:)

In my perfect dream life I would fly to SoCal "Octoberfest" and then to Seattle...
Too bad the life is not perfect but I still can dream...

I would love to come. SoCal is a bit easier for me because I could do it as a day or one-night trip and the flight is cheaper. But I'm such a maybe that you probably shouldn't count me in to the votes.

On another note, is there any interest in a northern CA meetup?

Update on my end: DH's Seattle trip is October 16th-ish, not September! So Seattle in September is not possible, unless that's when and where the big meet-up is. Basically, I can do one or the other, and it has nothing to do with DH. So I'm going to sit back and let you all hash it out, since I don't feel I have the right to vote!

... This is getting interesting. I am available the last weekend of October for some fun! Wherever that may be. I'm not available the first three weekends. But the original alumnae should be the deciders.

YOU GUYS! A girl sneaks off to do a little second hand shopping and look what happens! Actually my laptop is in the shop and that's why I missed this (thanks for PMing me AJ).

I actually have a sister who lives in Maple Valley, WA, but from what I understand that's out in the boondocks. Seattle and SoCal both sound lovely. And as Hubs just said, it's kind of hard to pass up a personal invitation form the boss! I'll have to see what weekends you all pick, my DH is unlikely to get both of them off work and that and $ are my main concerns. The flying part is free for me though, provided I can get on the flights, but air travel usually calms down once school starts up in the fall.

AJ and everyone, do keep your Oktoberfest in CA. There is a large YLF group in CA and as Mary suggests you have an annual event tradition going already - which includes the out of towners too.

If anyone EVER wants to come to Seattle, the YLF group is huge - the largest I think - it's always an option for those who are keen to travel. We will roll out the red carpet for you

Claire, Maple Valley is far away from Seattle - at least 90 minutes sans traffic.

So it turns out that my plans in October are not happening at all, so I most likely could make it to the OC meetup. Just let me know when the dates are firm, and I'd love to hear about hotels!

That being said: if any of you are interested in coming up to Seattle for a visit too, the offer of a place to stay still stands.

I'm going to be in SoCal in October, part business part pleasure. I am not sure of my dates as of yet, or my plans which include visiting friends and family in the area. Don't plan around me but please do keep me in the loop, if it works out and I can make it, I will. And maybe bring along my sister too.